The Miss Universe Organization believes in equality for all individuals and is deeply concerned by the laws recently enacted in Russia and currently in place in several other countries. Both the law, as well as the violence experienced by the LGBT community in Russia, are diametrically opposed to the core values of our company. Our organization has always embodied a spirit of inclusion and is a celebration of people from all countries and walks of life.

It is our hope this year’s Miss Universe contest in Moscow will help foster a common understanding and appreciation of the rights of all individuals, regardless of their nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation.

In our sixty year history we have witnessed, and been a party to, many social changes including those within the LGBT community. It has been our experience that the Miss Universe pageant provides a forum through which contestants from more than 90 countries, as well as their families and friends, forge bonds with citizens of a host country, helping to serve as a catalyst for social change.

The safety of our contestants, staff and crew is of the utmost importance and we are working with our Russian hosts to ensure the security and well-being of those traveling to Russia for the pageant.

Wolf, 19, who was selected as this year’s winner at Saturday night’s pageant at the Atlantis hotel in the Bahamas, hopes to spread awareness of the dangers of online crime during her upcoming one-year reign.

“This all happened before I had a title,’’ Cassidy told TODAY.com. “I was just a normal girl in high school. This next year I’m just so excited to be able to share my story and raise awareness in young teens about what can happen.”

Miss Missouri Teen USA, Brenda Smith-Lezama was named the Lisa B Fan Vote winner for the 2013 Miss Teen USA Pageant. Brenda received the most votes during the voting period and secured her place in the semifinals. For the second year in a row, the Miss Universe Organization allowed fans to vote online for their favorite Miss Teen USA contestant, earning one lucky girl a spot in the semifinals. Fans were able to vote online either at http://www.missteenusa.com, or at http://www.facebook.com/officialmissteenusa. To learn more about the Lisa B. Collection, please visit: http://www.lisabcollection.com